Walt Fuller returns to the Explorer staff in 2008-09 for his fourth season on the sidelines. After seven seasons at the University of Virginia as the top assistant for Pete Gillen, Coach Fuller has brought NCAA tournament experience to 20th and Olney as both a player and a coach. During his 21-year coaching career, he has recruited eventual NBA players Malik Rose (Drexel) and Roger Mason (Virginia). He also recruited three-time First Team All-ACC selection/2008 Sacramento Kings second round draft pick Sean Singletary and 2007 SEC Player of the Year Derrick Byars of Vanderbilt, who Coach Fuller initially brought to Virginia. Fuller has also been responsible for recruiting at least a half-dozen players who now play professionally in Europe and other points overseas including Jason Cain who Fuller brought to Virginia from Philadelphia's Bartram High. At Drexel and Virginia, Fuller coached on college basketball's grandest stage. While on staff at Drexel, the 1993-94 Dragons faced Temple in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Later at Virginia, the Cavaliers played Gonzaga in the opening round of the 2001 NCAA tournament. Fuller's NCAA experience is not exclusive to the sidelines. The Philadelphia native and Monsignor Bonner graduate played collegiately at Drexel University for La Salle graduate Eddie Burke. Fuller started three seasons, was a two-time co-captain for the Dragons and was named the team's Most Valuable Player for the 1985-86 season. During that season, the Dragons made another NCAA tournament appearance with an opening round game against Louisville. He earned his degree in business administration from Drexel in 1987. Prior to his experience in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Fuller was on staff at William and Mary from 1994-98 under Charlie Wollum. He served one year as a marketing representative for the Philadelphia 76'ers before starting his coaching career at his alma mater. He assisted on Coach Eddie Burke's staff for three seasons and served under Bill Herrion for three additional seasons, which included two North Atlantic Conference championships, at Drexel before heading to William and Mary. Says Head Coach John Giannini: "Coach Fuller brings us extensive experience at the highest level of college basketball and in key recruiting areas. He has an outstanding reputation as a person and as a coach and has brought professionalism, success and stability to the programs he has worked in. We are fortunate to have him as part of our staff." |
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